Augustus John

This drawing of a young boy employs a spontaneous and robust line that is typical of John's work. John trained at the Slade School and made his reputation by the early twentieth century as a draftsman and painter of exceptional artistic ability and personal originality. John was a sought-after society portrait painter whose work looked to the Old Masters, especially Rembrandt and Rubens, for inspiration. The boldness of his drawing ability is seen in the boy's sensual contrapposto pose.